BSc (Hons) Medical Biology

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Medical biology careers span the spectrum of medical sciences. Since the subject area is so broad in scope, the available career options are similarly vast. Whether your focus is on disease diagnosis and treatment or developing a new medicine, medical biology careers often involve working in laboratories. Understanding how to use laboratory equipment is crucial, so this is an important focus of our BSc (Hons) Medical Biology degree. As a graduate of our course, you can expect to possess knowledge of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experience using high-specification instrumentation, alongside a sound understanding of the theories and principles of relevant bioscience disciplines.

Though some careers can be more independent, working in a team with other professionals is common, so collaboration and team-working are encouraged throughout this degree. Analytical and problem-solving skills are also vital, along with strong literacy and numeracy, so we'll support you to gain these skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

• Teaching and education
• Medical administration
• Health service management
• Science writing
• Health promotion
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Research and development
• Medical sales
• Intellectual property
• Financial analysis
• Genetics
• Health education
• Public relations

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Home/EU Fees

International Fees

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

Face-to-face contact with our expert team is highly interactive, and we pride ourselves on offering personalised support and attention. Our strong preference for small group teaching means your tutors quickly get to know you as an individual. This ensures we can respond to your questions, identify your learning style and support your learning more effectively.

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Lectures introduce course content, while seminars are a valuable way to explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials allow you to ask questions about the topics we cover and discuss your learning approaches and strategies for success. Practical laboratory sessions help you learn to apply academic theory to scientific problems and develop practical skills in research methods and scientific techniques. Mini-research projects embedded in practical classes encourage your curiosity and help build your critical thinking skills. Also, guided computer-based workshops help you gain the data analysis skills and knowledge you’ll need for your final year research project and develop crucial skills in bioinformatics.

Self-directed and independent study is essential if you want to reach your potential in this hugely rewarding and constantly evolving subject, so we encourage you to devote significant time to it. For example, for background reading, assignments, preparing for seminars, writing essays and revising for exams.

Summative assessments include in-class tests, essays, seminar presentations, laboratory reports, independent project work, and exams that contribute to your final module marks. These assessments are your chance to confirm your knowledge and understanding, as well as your critical and evaluation skills.

Meanwhile, you’ll get to benefit from ongoing formative assessments throughout your degree. These don’t contribute to module marks or final grades but are designed to support your progress and help you build on your strengths, and overcome perceived weaknesses. They’re also a good way to help you identify and pursue the independent learning strategies that best suit your needs and preferences.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Investigating Science and Personal Development
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Medical Biochemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Research Science in Practice
• Nutrition and Physical Activity in Health and Disease
• Cancer Biology
• Neurobiology
• Biological Basis of Disease and Therapeutics
• Clinical Diagnostic Techniques
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Project
• Professional Practice

Assessment methods

Learning Activities

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.